Is this mask any good / how to clean

[gelosia]

I just started fencing and opted to get a higher quality used mask instead of a brand new less comfortable beginner's mask.

Here's the mask I got, I was wondering if I got a good deal or not:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=130255024698

Also, what's the best way to go about cleaning it? I haven't liked the idea of using the school's masks, and I figure once I got this one clean I'll be the only one using it from there on out.

Thank you.

[DangerMouse]

Make sure you get the mask checked by a good armorer before you use it to make sure it's safe. If it is, you got a pretty good price on the best mask on the market.

[fencerbill]

I recommend a 5 gallon bucket, a mild detergent and half of a one pound box of baking soda.

Let the mask soak in the bucket for 30 minutes with the detergent and the baking soda.

Rinse twice.

Use a bath towel with half inside and half outside and squeeze the water out. It will be dry in the morning.

[FreshPrinceofEWU]

I was looking at this mask too. Did you end up bidding on it?

[gelosia]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Yes, I won the mask, hopefully it's in good condition and cleans up well.

[HDG]

When new, these are very, very good masks. When buying a used mask being sold as-is, caveat emptor.

[fencerbill]

For that price, it is about 99 to 1 that you got a good deal. But check with an armorer.

PS, the suggestion to use baking soda is to get any possible smellies out and give your new, to you, mask a nice fresh smell.

[gelosia]

Well, it is an auction...

so no one bidding would have had any idea of the mask is in good condition or not. It's possible the mask did not go high because no one else wanted to risk bidding on something that might be inferiour. But that doesn't mean the seller of the mask didn't expect it to go a lot higher than what he got.

Final auction price doesn't really give you a good idea of product quality.

Hopefully it's not bad though.

[pigeonmeister]

That's an outstanding mask at an outstanding price. It's almost certain to be totally fine- I gues there is an off chance that the seller washed the mask at a very high temp (dishwasher or washing machine) which could have weakened some of the fixatives. But, as far as I can tell, you bagged a bargain. Usual caveat of checking with an armourer applies...

[gelosia]

Thank you. I hope my first fencing purchase is a good one.

[fencerchica]

Incidentally, it's also possible to get the mask completely re-upholstered such that the only thing original is the mesh itself. Not sure what the usual cost of this is (though it's nothing like the cost of a new mask), but I believe if you speak to Bill Oliver (with Leon Paul USA), you could arrange to have it done.

[HDG]

Incidentally, it's also possible to get the mask completely re-upholstered such that the only thing original is the mesh itself. Not sure what the usual cost of this is (though it's nothing like the cost of a new mask), but I believe if you speak to Bill Oliver (with Leon Paul USA), you could arrange to have it done.

Bill Murphy -- best not to bother Bill O.

[fencerchica]

Bill Murphy -- best not to bother Bill O.

LOL!!!! Oops, my bad!

[XanderHal]

Is that mesh painted? I thought the FIE comfort fit came with the black plasti-dipped mesh.

[Nolano]

They also offer it painted in different colors, I believe.

[gelosia]

I was wondering why it wasn't black, too. It's possible it's the picture and it's due to the flash bouncing directly off it. And I don't know if it matters but it says it was made in 2007.

[XanderHal]

Pretty sure it's painted and not a photo effect. It's possible that it is the white painted version from LP. You can see that the coloured ones cost $15 more than the plain black ones:

http://www.leonpaulusa.com/fencing/a...pee_masks.html

The inside shot shows that it is black on the inside, which is better for glare so that is a good thing.